Adjustable linkage

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an adjustable linkage mechanism adapted for use with foot-operated pedals, i.e., brake, accelerator and clutch, of a motor vehicle. The spacing between the seat of a motor vehicle and the pedals may be varied to suit the requirements of an individual operator through use of an actuator mechanism operatively connected between the pedal arm and the associated linkage mechanisms. Basically, the invention provides a powered means for automatically lengthening or shortening the associated linkage to pivot the pedal either toward or away from the seat to vary the spacing therebetween.

United States Patent [191 Bruhn, Jr.

[ ADJUSTABLE LINKAGE [75] Inventor: Max R. C. Bruhn, Jr., Spring Lake, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products Company, Grand Haven, Mich.

22 Filed: Nov. 19,1971

21 Appl.No.:200,357

[52] US. Cl. 74/512 [51] Int. Cl G05g 1/14 [58] Field of Search 74/512, 513

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,643,525 2/1972 Gibas 74/513 3,643,524 2/1972 Herring 74/512 3,151,499 10/1964 Roe 74/512 3,563,111 2/1971 Ziegler 74/513 3,394,614 7/1968 Ziegler 74/512 3,157,063 11/1964 Mussell 74/512 3,377,881 4/1968 Lucas 74/512 Oct. 16, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 920,784 3/1963 Great Britain 74/512 Primary ExaminerCharles J. Myhre Assistant Examiner-R. H. Lazarus Attorney-Price, Heneveld, l-luizenga & Cooper [5 7] ABSTRACT The present invention discloses an adjustable linkage mechanism adapted for use with foot-operated pedals, i.e., brake, accelerator and clutch, of a motor vehicle. The spacing between the seat of a motor vehicle and the pedals may be varied to suit the requirements of an individual operator through use of an actuator mechanism operatively connected between the pedal arm and the associated linkage mechanisms. Basically, the invention provides a powered means for automatically lengthening or shortening the associated linkage to pivot the pedal either toward or away from the seat to vary the spacing therebetween.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUBT 16 mm 376526 4 sumzura ADJUSTABLE LINKAGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recent years have seen increasing emphasisplaced on automotive safety, particularly with respect'tofeatures dealing with the safety of the occupant of the vehicle in the event of an accident. Padded dashboards and sun visors, breakaway steering wheels andtelescopic steering columns are some of the .past innovations to provide occupant safety. In the fairlyrecent past, seat belts and shoulder'harnessrestraining devices have won wide acclaim from the various safety councils. More recently, an instantaneouslyinflatable bag has been proposed anddeveloped to inflate andfill the space between the passenger and'the dashboard of the vehicle in the event of a collision. While all of the above safety features and devices have contributed greatly to the reduction in deaths related to automobile accidents, much yet remains to be done with respectto passenger safety.

The mounting and operation for a -front seatiin an automobile is not subject to-close scrutinylas regards passenger safety. In a conventional automobile, the front seat is generally positioned for adjustment on a track mechanism so that it may be moved toward and away from the control pedals to suit the needs of an individual operator. The track mechanism upon which the seat is mounted has a lower portion fixed to the floor and framework of the automobile. The seat i'tslef is fixed in an upper track member which is mounted for relative movement with respect to the lower track so that the seat may be moved toward and away from the dashboard. When the seat is moved to its rearward position, upon an occurance of abrupt stopping of the automobile such as happens in a collision, the seat will often either pull loose from its mountings or overcome the locking mechansims on the track and slide forward toward the dashboard, thereby increasing the likelihood of injury or perhaps even death of the occupant. Obviously therefore, it would be most desirable to fixedly secure the entire seat structure to the framework of the automobile to prevent this happening. When the seat is so fixed, however, it remains necessary to provide some sort of adjustment whereby the spacing between the seat and the operating pedals may be varied to accommodate different operators. Various mechanisms have been proposed to vary this spacing. One such arrangement involves the shifting of the pedal arms together with their pivoted mounting point on the dash panel or fire wall toward or away from the seat. This causes problems with respect to the linkage mechanism as provisions must be made to accommodate changes in the relative length of the linkage mechanism and of the control cables to the carburetor. Such systerns, therefore, become quite bulky and complex and have not met with success or acceptance by the automotive industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION pivot about their mounting axis toward and away from the vehicle seat.

The linkage mechanism are connected to the respective control pedals or pedal arms'through an adjustable actuator mechanism.0ne end of the actuator is connected by means of a clevis'to the pedal arm while the opposite end is fastened to the associated connecting linkages. The Iinkage'is in the form of an extended rod, threaded on the end which extends into the actuator. When energized, the actuator follows along the threaded portion driving it into or out of the actuator to thereby vary the effective length of the linkage. This movement causes a corresponding pivotal movement of the associated pedal and support shaft to move the epedaltowardor away from the seat to vary the spacing between the pedal and the seat.

Accordingly, it'is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement whereby the operating peda'ls of a motor vehicle may be adjusted to vary the spacing between the pedals and the drivers seat.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to vary the effective length of the control linkage mechanisms associated with the operating pedals of an automobile.

"It is a related object of this invention to provide an adjustment for the foot-operated controls of an automobile so that the seat may be firmly fixed to the frame of the vehicle while yet maintaining provision for relative adjustment of the pedals to accommodate the individual operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention illustrating a brake and accelerator pedal pivotally mounted on the dash panel or fire wall of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the brake pedal and associated operating mechanisms;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the accelerator pedal and its associated operating mechanisms;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional veiew of the actuator element taken along the plane IV-IV of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane V-V of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, the numeral 10 indicates the brake and accelerator operating pedals pivotally mounted on the dash panel or fire wall 12 of a conventional automobile.

The accelerator pedal 14 isrnounted in a conventional manner on one end of an accelerator pedal arm 16. The pedal arm 16 extends upwardly from the pedal 14 and is pivotally mounted at its opposite end 18 on a shaft 28 fixed in a bracket member 20 at an upper portion of the dash panel 12.

The brake pedal 22 is securely fixed .at one end of a brake pedal arm 24 which similarly extends upwardly where it is pivotally mounted at its opposite end 26 in the bracket member 20 on a common shaft 28.

The shaft 28 is held in the bracket 20 by means of screws 30 or other conventional fastening means which pass through a pair of outwardly extending ears 32 forming side walls of bracket 20. The shaft 28 is fixedly mounted between the ears 32 and the pedal arms 16 and 24 are provided with collar members 34 and 36, respectively, which are fixed in the ends 18 and 26 of the pedal arms to allow free rotation about the shaft 28. A spacer washer 29 is positioned on the shaft between the collars 34 and 36. The shaft 28 provides an upper pivot point for the pedal arms 16 and 24 in a conventional well-known manner. The pedal arm bracket may be mounted at an upper portion of the fire wall or dash panel 12 or conveniently fixed under the dashboard of the vehicle to suit the particular requirements of various automobiles as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

A downwardly extending arm 38 is attached to the collar 36 associated with the brake pedal arm 24 and is movable about the pivot shaft 28 with movement of the brake arm 24. The arm 38 extends downwardly a slight distance from the pivot shaft 28 where it is connected to a brake linkage actuator member 40 which will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The accelerator pedal arm 16 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly extending flange member 42 fixed on the pedal arm in any convenient manner such as by screws 44. The flange 42 is fixed at its extended end to a carburetor linkage actuator member 50. The linkage adjusting actuator members 40 and 50 are each driven through flexible drive shafts 52 which are powered by reversible drive motor 54. Drive motor 54 may be mounted under the dashboard of the vehicle in any convenient manner and is electrically controlled through a conventional switch member (not shown) which is connected to the input wires 56. The wires 56 connected to a suitable power source through the switching means provide forward and reverse drive of the motor 54 to extend or retract the actuator. Also located on the fire wall 12 is the accelerator cable pivot control 58 which will be described more fully in connection with FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side plan view of the brake arm and actuator is shown. As described above in connection with FIG. 1, the brake arm 24 and secondary arm 38 are pivotally mounted about shaft 28 in bracket 20. One end 60 of the downwardly extending arm 38 is connected by means of a pin 62 and a clevis 64 which forms a part of the actuator 30. The clevis 64, as a part of the actuator 40, forms an adjustable operating linkage between the brake arm and the brake pedal push rod 66 which extends through the fire wall 12 to the brake master cylinder (not shown). As is conventional, pressure applied on the brake pedal 22 (to the left as viewed in FIG. 2) will cause movement of the arms 24 and 38 about shaft 28 and a corresponding movement of the brake pedal push rod 66.

Referring briefly to FIG. 3, the arrangement of the accelerator operating control pedal previously described in connection with FIG. 1 is illustrated in a side view similar to FIG. 2. The accelerator pedal 14 and pedal arm 16 are pivotally mounted about shaft 28 in bracket 20 fixed to the fire wall 12. The flange 42 fixed to the pedal arm 16 extends upwardly where it is connected by means of a pin and clevis to the actuator 50. Each of the actuators 40 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and 50 (FIGS. 1 and 3) are similar in construction and similarly provide a means for adjusting the linkage mechanism associated therewith. Like reference numerals will therefore be utilized to illustrate the similar component parts with those particularly related to the accelerator mechanism bearing the suffix letter a. The end of the actuator opposite to that connected to the flange at 60a by the pin 62a and clevis 64a is connected to a push rod 66a.

In that the carburetor linkage is provided in presentday automobiles is generally actuated by a cable assembly which imparts a pulling action against a spring bias to the carburetor rather than a pushing action as used to actuate the brake master cylinder, it is necessary to change the inward movement of the accelerator pedal (to the right as viewed in FIG. 3) to an outward movement of the accelerator cable 68. This is accomplished through the use of a bellcrank S8 pivotally mounted by a pin member 70 on bracket 72 fixed on the firewall 12. A lower extending end 74 of the bellcrank is fixed to the accelerator cable 68 which passes through the fire wall where it is operatively connected to the carburetor (not shown). The opposite end of the bellcrank 78 is connected to an accelerator push rod 66a by means of a pin 80. A bias spring 82 is fixed to the bellcrank 58 and the bracket 72 to bias the bellcrank to an upright position. The bias spring 82 is provided in addition to the bias normally provided on the carburetor or on the accelerator cable to bias the carburetor to a normal idling position and may be required due to the additional weight of the actuator 50 acting against the bellcrank.

The actuators 40 and/or 50 connected to the push rods 66 or 66a provide a unique connection between the push rod and the clevis 64 and serve to shorten or lengthen the push rod associated therewith. The extension of the push rod 66 causes a corresponding decrease in the distance of the pedal 14 or 22 from the seat. As stated in other words, the increase in the length of the push rod will cause a corresponding increase in the distance of the pedal from the fire wall. Because of the positioning of the actuator, push rod and clevis on the arm near the pivot point, it may be readily seen that an increase in the length of the pivot rod will cause the arm to pivot outwardly on an axis about shaft 28. Because of the length of the arm, the pedal itself will move an even greater distance. It may readily be seen that a small increase in the length of the push rod of, for example, one inch, will result in an approximately threeinch travel of the pedal. This, of course, may be varied depending upon the positioning of the clevis with respect to the pivot shaft 28 and is also dependent upon the length of the arm. The significant feature, however, is the adjustability of the length of the push rod 66a and of the actuator mechanism to accomplish such adjustment. To those skilled in the art, the actuator mechanism when utilized to adjust the length of the push rod can best be described as an adjustable clevis assembly and will be sometimes referred to as such for purposes of illustration.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5, the actuator or adjustable clevis assembly of the present invention will be described in greater detail. One end of the actuator is pivotally fixed by means of a pin 62 and a clevis 64 to an extension of the brake or accelerator pedal arm 60. The opposite end of the actuator is fixed to the push rod 66 by means of captive nut and gear combination held by the clevis 64.

The clevis is basically in the form of a pair of elongated spaced-apart side wall flanges which extend a distance from their connection with the arm 64 and pin 62. The side walls 100 are bent outwardly, away from each other, forming a pair of oppositely directed flanges 102 adjacent to which is positioned a first gear mounting plate 104. A second gear mounting plate 106 is spaced a slight distance from the first plate by means of four spacers 108 located between the plates 104 and 106. A plurality of bolts 110 or other suitable fastening means pass through the flanges 102, mounting plate 104, spacers 108 and second mounting plate 106 where they are secured by means of nuts 112 to form a gear housing 114. The plates 104 and 106 are substantially identical in construction and each are provided with aligned large diameter central bores 114 and 116, respectively. Spaced from the central bore in each mounting plate are a pair of aligned smaller diameter bores 118 and 120. The aligned bores, form bearing surfaces for a pair of mating spur gears 122 and 124. Gear 124 is a driven gear and of a larger diameter than drive gear 122. The driven gear 124 is provided with an internally threaded, outwardly extending, hub 126. The outer diameter of the hub 126 is finish machined and adapted for mounting and rotation within the large diameter central bores 114 and 116 formed in the mounting plates 104 and 106. Drive gear 122 is also provided with an integrally formed outwardly extending hub 128 and is similarly adapted for rotational movement in the smaller diameter bores 118 and 120.

The flexible drive assembly 52 (FIG. 1) has an outer casing 130 and a flexible inner drive shaft 132. The outer casing 130 is fixed to the flange 102 and mounting plate 104 while the internal drive shaft 132 extends through the bore into the hub of the drive gear 122 where it is fixed to the drive gear to cause rotation thereof when energized by the motor 54 (FIG. 1).

An elongated slot 134 is provided along a portion of the length of the side wall flanges 100 of the clevis in alignment with the center axis of the bores 114 and 116. The push rod 66 is threaded along a portion of its length 136 and extends through the threaded hub 126 of the driven gear124and into the space between the clevis side walls 100. Near the end of the push rod 66, a pin 138 is passed therethrough transverse to its length and extends into the slots 134. The pin 138 prevents rotation of the push rod '66 and, in addition, provides a positive stop to limit the amount of linear travel 'of the rod within the actuator along the slots 134.

The opposite end of the flexible drive cable assembly 52 is connected in a conventional manner to a gear reduction unit 140 (FIG. 1) which is operatively connected to drive motor 24. The gear reduction unit is provided with suitable gearing so that the flexible drive shafts 52 each rotate in the same direction and at the same speed with respect to each other when the motor 54 is energized.

OPERATION Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation of the adjustable linkage will be described in detail. For ease of illustration, the actuator 40 or 50, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown in extended position, that is, with the operating pedals moved nearest the seat and at their furthest distance from the dash panel 12. The illustration in FIG. 4 shows the actuator in its retracted position wherein the pedals are at their furtherest distance from the seat and closest to the tire wall.

Operation of the actuator then, serves to move the push rod 66 from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to that shown in FIG. 4. When it is desired to change the position of the operating pedals with respect to the seat, reversible drive motor 54 is energized by suitable conventional electronic controls such as, for example, a push button (not shown). Rotation of the motor 54 through the gear reduction unit 140 causes rotation of the flexible drive shafts 132 which, in turn, cause rotation of drive gear 122 (FIGS. 4 and 5). There is, of course, a corresponding rotation of gear 124 which,

through its threaded hub 126, rotates about the.

threaded portion 136 of push rod 66. When the drive motor is energized with the actuator in the position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive gear rotates about push rod 66 causing the end thereof to be progressively advanced through the interaction of the threaded hub of the driven gear 122 and the threaded portion 136 of the push rod 66. The push rod is driven through the hub and into the space between the side walls of the clevis. The push rod may advance into the clevis any desirable distance or until the pin 138 contacts the end of the elongated slot 134. At this point, the pedals will have moved from the position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the position illustrated in phantom in those views. Rotation of the drive motor 54 in the opposite direction will cause movement of the push rod and a corresponding movement of the operating pedals in the opposite direction, i.e., toward the seat.

A similar actuating mechanism may be connected to the operating linkage of a clutch control pedal generally found in automobiles having a standard transmission. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the adjustment of the operating pedals may be accomlished through the use of a manually operated hand wheel or lever rather than through the use of a reversible drive motor as illustrated. It will, however, become immediately obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a considerably simplified and novel apparatus for adjusting the relative length of connecting linkages. It will also become obvious to those skilled in the art that the linkage adjustment mechanism, as described above, is particularly adaptable for use for adjusting the foot operated pedals in a motor vehicle.

While the invention has been described with relation to a particular apparatus for adjusting the linkages, it is obvious that other mechanical arrangements could be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, individual drive motors 54 could be provided to drive each of the actuators associated with the various operating pedals. In addition, a worm and gear combination or a rack and gear combination could be utilized in the actuator for extending or retracting the push rod. Other variations and modifications will be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An adjustable actuating mechanism for actuating control means for a vehicle having a seat, said mechanism including an operating pedal and support means for mounting said pedal in spaced relationship from said seat, a pivotally mounted arm member supporting said pedal for movement toward and away from said seat and means adapted to connect said arm member to said control means, the improvementcomprising:

said arm member being a continuous unitary member extending between its two ends, one end being pivotally secured to said support means and the other end having said pedal attached thereto; linkage means separate and apart from said arm and operatively connected between said arm and adopted to be operatively connected to said control means for transmitting movement of said arm to said control means, said linkage means including an actuator means having a pair of connecting members operatively connected together, one of said connecting members being operatively connected to said arm and the other of said connecting members being adapted to be operatively connected to said control means; said connecting members being adjustable linearly with respect to each other to vary the effective length of said linkage means between said control means and said arm, and means for linearly adjusting said connecting members thereby lengthening and shortening said linkage means to move said arm and said pedal toward and away from said seat to thereby adjust the position of said pedal with respect to said seat without affecting the control means.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said one of said pair of connecting members includes:

a housing operatively connected to said one of said control means or arm for movement therewith; and the other of said pair of connecting members includes a screw mounted in said housing extending outwardly therefrom operatively connected to the other said control means or arms; and further including a gear having an internally threaded hub portion rotatably supported in said housing engaging said screw; and

means connected to said gear to rotate same about said screw to extend and retract said screw to thereby lengthen and shorten said actuator causing said arm to pivot in an arc with respect to said seat.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pair of connecting members comprises a screw member and a gear, said gear having an internally threaded hub surrounding said screw member, one of said screw and gear operatively connected to said pedal for movement therewith, the other of said screw and gear operatively connected to said control means.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said screw is operatively connected to said control means and said gear is operatively connected to said pedal.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said screw is a push rod having one end thereof operatively connected to said control means, the other end having a threaded portion extending into said internally threaded hub of said gear.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said drive means includes a second gear in mesh with said first mentioned gear and powered means driving said second gear.

7. The adjustable actuating mechanism of claim 1 in which at least a pair of operating pedal are provided extending toward the seat from the dash panel of the vehicle.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said control means for the vehicle includes acceleration control means and brake control means for said vehicle, one of said pair of operating pedals operatively connected to said acceleration control means, the other of said pair of operating pedals operatively connected to said brake control means, said other of said pair having a secondary operating arm member associated therewith mounted on said shaft for pivotable movement with said first mentioned arm member, said connecting member being operatively connected to said secondary arm and to said brake control means.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 and further including a bellcrank pivotally mounted on said dash panel, said bellcrank having a pair of outwardly extending arm members, one of said arm members operatively connected to said acceleration control means and the other of said arm members connected to one of said pair of connecting members, the other of said pair of connecting members being operatively connected to said arm member of said one of said pair of operating pedals. 

1. An adjustable actuating mechanism for actuating control means for a vehicle having a seat, said mechanism including an operating pedal and support means for mounting said pedal in spaced relationship from said seat, a pivotally mounted arm member supporting said pedal for movement toward and away from said seat and means adapted to connect said arm member to said control means, the improvement comprising: said arm member being a continuous unitary member extending between its two ends, one end being pivotally secured to said support means and the other end having said pedal attached thereto; linkage means separate and apart from said arm and operatively connected between said arm and adapted to be operatively connected to said control means for transmitting movement of said arm to said control means, said linkage means including an actuator means having a pair of connecting members operatively connected together, one of said connecting members being operatively connected to said arm and the other of said connecting members being adapted to be operatively connected to said control means; said connecting members being adjustable linearly with respect to each other to vary the effective length of said linkage means between said control means and said arm, and means for linearly adjusting said connecting members thereby lengthening and shortening said linkage means to move said arm and said pedal toward and away from said seat to thereby adjust the position of said pedal with respect to said seat without affecting the control means.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said one of said pair of connecting members includes: a housing operatively connected to said one of said control means or arm for movement therewith; and the other of said pair of connecting members includes a screw mounted in said housing extending outwardly therefrom operatively connected to the other said control means or arms; and further including a gear having an internally threaded hub portion rotatably supported in said housing engaging said screw; and means connected to said gear to rotate same about said screw to extend and retract said screw to thereby lengthen and shorten said actuator causing said arm to pivot in an arc with respect to said seat.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pair of connecting members comprises a screw member and a gear, said gear having an internally threaded hub surrounding said screw member, one of said screw and gear operatively connected to said pedal for movement therewith, the other of said screw and gear operatively connected to said control means.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said screw is operatively connected to said control means and said gear is operatively connecTed to said pedal.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said screw is a push rod having one end thereof operatively connected to said control means, the other end having a threaded portion extending into said internally threaded hub of said gear.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said drive means includes a second gear in mesh with said first mentioned gear and powered means driving said second gear.
 7. The adjustable actuating mechanism of claim 1 in which at least a pair of operating pedal are provided extending toward the seat from the dash panel of the vehicle.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said control means for the vehicle includes acceleration control means and brake control means for said vehicle, one of said pair of operating pedals operatively connected to said acceleration control means, the other of said pair of operating pedals operatively connected to said brake control means, said other of said pair having a secondary operating arm member associated therewith mounted on said shaft for pivotable movement with said first mentioned arm member, said connecting member being operatively connected to said secondary arm and to said brake control means.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 and further including a bellcrank pivotally mounted on said dash panel, said bellcrank having a pair of outwardly extending arm members, one of said arm members operatively connected to said acceleration control means and the other of said arm members connected to one of said pair of connecting members, the other of said pair of connecting members being operatively connected to said arm member of said one of said pair of operating pedals. 